562 



Shooting Stars of December 7, 1838, 



vember,* added strength to my hopes. On the other hand, my 

 confidence in the return of the display was somewhat shaken by 

 the apparent absence of any other records of unusual meteoric 

 appearances at this season. A very extensive search will probably 

 bring some such to light, but if it should not, it will at least prove 

 anew, how easily a phenomenon of this kind, when not specially 

 watched, may pass unnoticed. However, the chance of a re- 

 discovery of this long-lost shower, induced me to request several 

 friends in various places, who had previously obliged me in a simi- 

 lar way, to keep up a vigilant watch at this season. Few returns 

 have yet been received, and from some of the distant observers, 

 they can not be expected under many months. The observations 

 made in this city show conclusively that the number of meteors 

 visible here about the 7th of December, 1838, was for several 

 hours, from six to eight times beyond the average. Those de- 

 tailed in the following table, were made here by Messrs. C. P. 

 Bush, A. B. Haile, J. D. Whitney, B. Silliman, Jr., and myself. 

 The]^ comprise, with one exception, every favorable evening 

 from the 4th to the 15th, inclusive. 



I. Observations on Shooting Stars made at New Haven, Conn. 

 December, 1838. 



* The "meteoric shower" of November, 1838, came chiefly on the morning of 

 the 14th. According to observations made at Middlebury, Vt., and published in 

 " The People's Press," by Prof A. C. Twining, meteors were visible that morn- 

 ing from 4h. to 6h. in the whole heavens, at the rate of 105 per hour; and for a 

 short time the next morning, they were nearly as numerous. 



